The ins and outs of your first chiropractic table

Setting up your first chiropractic table can be very exciting.

However, it can also be a little anxiety-provoking too. At least it was for James Pamplin, DC as he has quite a story about what happened to him when he got his first chiropractic table delivered.

“When my first big chiropractic table came, the truck driver said he would only leave it on the tailgate,” he said. “This was in the middle of my parking lot. Feeling panicked with patients soon arriving, I bribed him with $100 to help me move it into the office. Luckily he obliged.”

So what can you learn from Pamplin’s story to make setting up your first chiropractic not as stressful?

Get some muscle

For starters, you want to be clear about what delivery means according to the company you purchase your table from. “The delivery personnel said they were only liable for removing the table off their truck,” says Pamplin. But he didn’t realize this until they were there in the middle of his parking lot.

While his driver agreed to offer some assistance in the end, Pamplin suggests that, if this is the case with your table delivery, “get some muscle help. You may also want to buy or rent a dolly which will make the moving process easier.”

Setting a time

Another recommendation based on Pamplin’s experience is to ask for delivery at a time when you aren’t going to be seeing patients anytime soon. Specifically, he recommends that you “always plan all moving and assembling work after business hours. There’s nothing more unprofessional than trying to set up your new chiropractic table at the same time you’re treating patients.”

Tools of the trade

Additionally, make sure you have the necessary tools on hand to assemble the table that you’ve ordered. “Most tables come pre-assembled,” he says. “However, some low-end table may need minor assembly, such as attaching legs.” To help with this, it helps to have a wrench on hand.

Pamplin states that the process of setting up his new chiropractic table was relatively easy, that is once he was able to get the table inside. “The hardest thing was removing the packaging,” he says. “Tables are bulky and heavy, which may involve removing bolts from wooden pallets, in addition to removing a significant amount of packaging material.”

Again, this is where a wrench can come in handy to help you remove the bolts. Sheers might help as well in case you have to “cut metal packaging bands” used to secure the table during shipment.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Pamplin’s experience is to learn up front what to expect from your chiropractic table delivery. Ask about how far the delivery driver is able to move the table from the truck, inquire as to what type of packaging you’ll have to contend with, and see what types of tools you’ll need on hand to set your table up.

Also, ask for delivery at a time when your office is closed so you’re able to get your table inside and assembled when patients aren’t around. That way you won’t be stressed for time and able to give your table the attention it needs to make sure it is set up correctly.

By following these basic suggestions, setting up your first chiropractic table should go fairly smoothly because you’ll be able to adequately plan for its arrival. This can save you a lot of stress in the process.